Polo Patrons Join the Fight against Breast Cancer at the 10th Annual Challenge of the Americas

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Team International from the 2010 Challenge of the Americas Photo Credit: Susan Stickle

Wellington, FL – February 1, 2011 – Featuring more exciting equestrian performances than ever before, the Tenth Annual Challenge of the Americas will return to Wellington, FL, on Saturday, March 12, 2011, at the beautiful International Polo Club Palm Beach. The evening will get underway at 5:00 p.m. and feature musical dressage team quadrilles and a new and exciting four on four polo challenge.  Presented by International Polo Club Palm Beach the event will benefit Play for P.I.N.K (PFP), a partner of The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Play for P.I.N.K, which stands for Prevention, Immediate diagnosis, New technology, and Knowledge, is a grassroots organization dedicated to raising funds to fight breast cancer.  PFP does this by creating and promoting awareness of breast cancer through sporting and lifestyle events including men’s and women’s golf tournaments, tennis, swimming, card games, equestrian events, shopping benefits, spa days and wine tastings.  PFPs commitment is to contribute 100% of all funds raised to their partner The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Since 1996, PFP has donated $18,750,000 to BCRF.  Play for P.I.N.K and The Breast Cancer Research Foundation are proud to share the same vision: Find prevention and a cure in our lifetime.

New to this year’s challenge is an exciting polo match headed up by Georgette Escobar. As she is a breast cancer survivor herself, Escobar is one of the lucky ones. She is married to polo player Luis Escobar and was diagnosed with breast cancer in both breasts in March 2010.  “I was a very strange case,” noted Escobar.  “My cancer was diagnosed by a fluke and at a very early stage.  After all of the scans, tests and biopsies, I opted to go the most radical route and had a double mastectomy four days after I was diagnosed.  I was stage one on both sides, and had a very slow growing type of cancer but I did not want to take any chances.  I did not have to go through chemo and radiation because my cancer was diagnosed so early, and for that I am grateful.  I just know that the advances made in technology to find such early stages are the reason that more and more women are beating this disease.  Now, I want to work to raise awareness about it, and do whatever I can to teach people and fight this nasty disease.”

Polo Players to date include:

1.                  Mark Gansey – Audi

2.                  Melissa Gansey – Grand Champions

3.                  John Muse – Lucchese

4.                  Bob Jornazvaz – Valiente

5.                  Gonzolo Avendano – Patagonias

6.                  Bo Goodman/Mount Brilliant or Hutton Goodman/Faraway

7.                  Tom Sikes – Blanco Texas

8.                  Victor Vargas – Lechuza Caracas

Challenge of the Americas is an outstanding event held each year in Wellington that features spectacular performances on horseback while raising money to support the fight against breast cancer. This marks the tenth year for the Challenge of the Americas event, which is a one-of-a-kind affaire that highlights the equestrian sports of Dressage and Polo. Competing riders will include the “Who’s Who” of the top equestrian competitors in the United States, Canada, South America and Europe. The Challenge of the Americas began nine years ago as an afternoon dressage exhibition/luncheon in 2002.  Since then, it has grown into an under-the-lights international equestrian extravaganza complete with a delightful dinner Gala. Its success and continued growth throughout the years is due to its partnership in the fight against breast cancer, as well as its unique and highly entertaining format.

Following The Challenge of the Americas will be an elegant evening of dinner and dancing at the Challenge Gala. The Challenge Gala, always a sell-out, will once again be held in IPC’s spacious and decorative catering tent off of Piaget Field. An awards presentation will be featured and guests will have the chance to meet and socialize with riders and judges.

VIP COTA/Gala Tickets are available for $250 per person and general admission Challenge tickets will be $20 at the gate.  Children under 12 are admitted free. For more information, please visit the Challenge of the Americas website, www.challengeoftheamericas.com, or contact Mary Ross at 561.852.2591

CHALLENGE FAST FACTS:

EVENT: The Tenth Annual Challenge of the Americas Competition and Gala

WHAT: An International Musical Grand Prix Dressage Quadrille Team Challenge and Polo Extravaganza. The Challenge Gala, an elegant evening of dinner and dancing, will get underway immediately following the “The Challenge of the Americas” competition. An awards presentation will be featured and guests will have the chance to meet and socialize with riders and judges.

WHERE: The International Polo Club Palm Beach

3667 120th Avenue South

Wellington, FL 33414

WHEN: Saturday, March 12, 2011

PRESENTING SPONSOR: The International Polo Club Palm Beach

QUADRILLE TEAM SPONSORS: SSG Gloves – Team Canada; Purina Mills – Team USA; The Seley Parker Group of Merrill Lynch – Team International

POLO SPONSOR: Arenus

EVENT SPONSORS: USDF; Cunningham & Cunningham Livestock Insurance; Arenus, MatchnRide.com, Back on Track, Wellington Classic Dressage, Palm Beach Equine Clinic, Red Barn Feed & Supply, Jamaica Tent and Sunbelt Rentals.

BENEFICIARY: Challenge of the Americas benefits Play for P.I.N.K and The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

ADMISSION: General Admission tickets can be purchased at the gate on the evening of the event for a $20 donation.

CONTACT: To make reservations for the Challenge Gala & VIP Box Seating, contact Mary Ross at 561-852-2591.

PARKING: Convenient onsite parking and valet parking at the spectator entrance

MEDIA CONTACT:

Phelps Media Group, Inc.

12230 Forest Hill Boulevard

Suite 214

Wellington, FL 33414

561-753-3389 (phone)

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